Scheme helps traders ease reliance on flood-prone transport links

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce says there has been strong interest in a scheme to promote trade between local businesses and reduce dependence on flood-prone transport links.

Many local businesses have had problems sourcing products after flooding cut the Bruce Highway in many locations over several weeks.

The chamber's chief executive, Deb Hancock, says the scheme encourages businesses in Cairns to offer each other discounts, to promote a more self-sufficient local economy.

"Well it's brand new and we've been absolutely inundated and flooded with responses and offers from our members, so much so that we've actually had to pay for extra web development to be done to keep up with demand," she said.

"So it's certainly proven to be very popular.

"We're actually encouraging within our own membership, which is significant, for all of our members to provide discounts or special offers to other members.

"So that's something that our members are all enjoying currently, which is our little way, in a short-term focus, to implement that 'buy local' strategy."